NAPA News - Week 4, Term 2, 2026
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Week 4 and the dreaded wet weather returns. I thought we had come out the other side, but alas!
A big thank you this week to everyone who reads the newsletter. It is where we communicate all our important information, and I hope that everyone is continuing to read the Wellbeing and Performance Tips to their children too. This weeks Wellbeing section is aimed mostly at our teenagers, but if you’re reading it to your young ones, there are still important messages included for them.
Have a great week everyone, and stay dry!
QUICK REMINDERS
please read!
Lost property - Please be sure to check this regularly throughout the year.
Jewellery - a quick reminder that excessive jewellery is not to be worn to any NAPA classes and that any earrings worn in dance class should be small studs or sleepers only. No other jewellery should be worn in dance classes, as this creates a safety hazard for dancers and their peers. PLEASE LEAVE AT HOME to avoid losing anything precious.
Footwear - please note that there will be strict guidelines around footwear at NAPA this year. This is for the safety of our young dancers - Jazz, Combo, Technique and Performance Team students must wear jazz shoes - Hip Hop, Tread the Boards and Broadway students must wear sneakers or jazz shoes - Ballet students must wear ballet shoes and Tap students must wear tap shoes. The only class where bare feet will be allowed is lyrical/contemporary, and we recommend students wear black dance or NAPA socks to these classes. Students will not be able to participate in class if they do not have the appropriate footwear.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!
We are thrilled to announce that our next Summer School production will be… MARY POPPINS! After the great success of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we can’t wait to see what the Summer School team bring to life this time. More details around dates, costs and tutors will be out later in the year, so STAY TUNED!
UNIFORMS
For all those asking, our new uniforms are officially closed for ordering. We do have some extra stock for those who missed out, but we will not be doing another order this term
We do however have orders open for winter puffer vests, puffer jackets and jumpers. You can order these through the website. For any questions please email Kimberley - [email protected]
IMPORTANT - PARKING AND DROP OFFS
We are still having issues with some parents pulling into or parking in neighbouring businesses. This is continuing to be an issue for us as we receive cranky emails or visits from our neighbours. PLEASE do not use our neighbours for parking, even just to drop off. The best system is to drive down and turn around at the end of the street and then pull up and drop at the top of the driveway. This is so most efficient way for everyone to drop off safely. A reminder that the parks in front of our gate are for staff only. I know that parking can be hard some days, but we must respect our neighbours. Thank you for your support with this moving forward.
WE NEED YOU!
We are looking at getting some signage done for our parking and would love to support a NAPA family who may own a signage business. If you can help us out please reach out to Kimberley - [email protected]
PRIVATES WITH MR COOPER
Wellbeing
YOUR BODY IS YOUR INSTRUMENT
As performers, we spend hours each week training our bodies … stretching, strengthening, rehearsing, dancing, singing and performing. But one of the most important parts of being a successful performer actually happens outside the studio.
Your body is your instrument.
Just like a musician takes care of their instrument, performers need to take care of their bodies and minds in order to perform at their best. The choices you make between classes matter just as much as the effort you put into training.
For teenagers especially, life can become busy and overwhelming. School, assessments, social lives, work commitments and extracurricular activities can make it tempting to sacrifice things like sleep, nutrition and recovery. However, these are the very things that allow performers to stay healthy, energised and mentally focused.
Sleep is one of the biggest factors in performance and wellbeing. Lack of sleep impacts concentration, memory, coordination, mood and recovery … all things that are essential in the performing arts. A tired performer is more likely to forget choreography, struggle emotionally, lose focus in class or increase their risk of injury.
Nutrition also plays a huge role. Performers are athletes as well as artists, and our bodies need proper fuel to cope with the physical and mental demands of training. Eating balanced meals, staying hydrated and avoiding the habit of “running on empty” helps students maintain energy, strength and focus throughout long rehearsal days and performances.
Teenage years are also a time when social pressures and choices become more present. Late nights, excessive partying and unhealthy habits may seem harmless in the moment, but they can quickly affect motivation, attendance, physical health and performance quality. Learning balance and making positive choices is an important part of becoming a disciplined and reliable performer.
Taking care of yourself does not mean being perfect. It means recognising that your health and wellbeing matter, and understanding that the choices you make today impact your ability to train, perform and grow tomorrow.
At NAPA, we encourage our students to think beyond just technique and performance outcomes. Strong performers are built through healthy habits, resilience, self-awareness and consistency. Looking after your body and mind is not separate from your training … it is part of your training.
Respect your instrument. Nourish it, rest it, challenge it and take care of it. Your future self … and your future performances … will thank you for it.
CHERUB OF THE WEEK
CONGRATULATIONS, ARIA!
This week we are celebrating Aria! Aria has been nominated by several teachers this week for her hard work in both Tread the Boards and Broadway Bound. Miss Laura has noted that Aria always turns up for class prepared, and is often seen helping out other students. Miss Amy noted that Aria has continued this year with the hardworking commitment that she began in her classes and productions last year. In Tread the Boards, she is playing a very challenging role, that asks her to call on her acting skills to develop characterisation and react in role as a girl suffering elective mutism and she has risen to the challenge. Aria is also volunteering to work with the younger students involved in the flashback scenes in the play. This is a great show of studio spirit. All of Aria’s hard work is seeing her grow in confidence and develop into a highly engaging performer.
Congratulations, ARIA… we’re so proud of you! ✨
PERFORMANCE TIPS
EFFORT = REWARD
One of the most valuable lessons a performer can learn is this: you only get out what you put in.
In the performing arts, growth doesn’t just happen during big rehearsals, competitions or performances. It happens every single class, every correction, every warm up, every conversation and every opportunity to try something new. The students who improve the most are often the ones who come into the studio ready to learn, even on the days they feel tired, challenged or outside of their comfort zone.
Every teacher has something to offer.
Whether it’s your regular weekly teacher, a guest artist, a relief teacher or someone newer to teaching, there is always knowledge, perspective and experience to gain. Sometimes a different teacher explains something in a new way that suddenly clicks. Sometimes they challenge you to work harder, think differently or step outside your usual habits. Sometimes the biggest growth comes from learning how to adapt to different expectations and teaching styles, an essential skill for anyone pursuing the performing arts industry.
A great performer is not someone who thinks they already know everything. A great performer stays curious.
The most successful students are the ones who:
listen carefully,
ask questions,
apply corrections,
stay open-minded,
support others in the room,
and actively look for something to take away from every class.
Even one small correction or new piece of advice can make a huge difference over time.
At NAPA, we encourage our students to approach every class with professionalism, respect and a willingness to learn. Growth comes from consistency, effort and attitude just as much as talent. If you arrive ready to engage, challenge yourself and absorb as much as you can, you will continue to develop not only as a performer, but as a resilient and adaptable young artist.
Remember … the effort you invest today shapes the performer you become tomorrow.
